If your toe hurts for a long time and then turns black, it can be a serious sign. This pain and discoloration may be caused by peripheral artery disease of the legs, which is a serious condition. If immediate treatment is not received at this time, the limb may have to be amputated.
That is why in recent years, there have been many changes to vascular surgery units in the UK to make the treatment of this disease faster and more effective. A study carried out at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital found that the risk of saving a leg could be halved if treated early.
What is peripheral artery disease?
In peripheral artery disease (PAD), the blood vessels in the legs become narrow. This is the same process that causes heart disease. This disease blocks blood flow, which can cause serious problems like pain in the legs, ulcers and sometimes gangrene. This condition is especially common in people over the age of 65 and diabetics have a higher risk of developing the disease.
symptoms
Early symptoms of this disease include pain in the legs while walking, called intermittent claudication. This problem can be controlled with timely treatment. But as the disease progresses, the patient may require surgery or amputation of the toe.
How can lives be saved?
A study from Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, found that the risk of amputation could be reduced by 57 per cent if patients received early treatment.
preventive measures
This research makes it clear that timing is of the utmost importance in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. If the early symptoms of this disease are seen then patients can be prevented from reaching serious condition. It is important that people do not ignore any unusual changes in their feet, such as foot pain, wounds or dark marks, and contact a doctor immediately if any such symptoms appear. Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding smoking, regular exercise, and keeping diabetes under control can prevent the development of this disease.
